Keyboard unit for line casting machines



Dec. 22, 1936. A. GOOD KEYBOARD UNIT FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 24. 1934 w Emmy 7 w w a WW2 AJKJJI wm/m fi u /WW 0 6 EV HM WW W/vJB 3 w? \iL @UJJ W m 1 9 m 2 8 6 F E F8 9Q Q 2A 5 OFWQVMHQM M 2 Dec. 22, 1936. GOOD 2,065,274

KEYBOARD UNIT FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES 5 ANDREW 600D ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1936. A. GOOD KEYBOARD UNIT FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 24, 1934 QH Q mam

ATTORNEY INVENTOR ANDREW 6000 BY 41 Wk \IIL Fixmv wmt mmiou Dec. 22, 1936.

A. GOOD KEYBOARD 1mm FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 24, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 2-2, 1936. D 2,065,274

KEYBOARD UNIT FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 24. 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 22, 1936. A. GOOD KEYBOARD UNIT FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 24, 1934 '7 sheets-sheet 6 Hrri new

Dec. 22, 1936. GQQD 2,065,274

KEYBOARD UNIT FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 24, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I E g R l \L k u m LN 3 HETUHN sPAcE BAR Awe/won H/VDHEW .Patented Dec. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE aosazu KEYBOARD UNIT FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES Application September 24, 1934, Serial No. 745,177

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel mechanism for selectively releasing the matrices'of a linecasting machine. I

The main feature of the inventionis directed to a practical simplified keyboard and associated mechanism electrically operated thereby to release selectively the matrices of a line-casting machine, whereby the manipulation of the machine is greatly simplified and whereby the speed of line-casting is increased while reducing operator fatigue.

Another feature of the invention relates to a novel arrangement including a keyboard for selectively releasing all of the matrices of a standard line-casting machine, said keyboard having a smaller number of keys than the number of matrices to be released and having its keys arranged according to the arrangement of keys in a standard typewriter keyboard. If

A further feature of the invention relates t a detachable supplementary keyboard unit adapted to be mounted in superimposed relation to the keys of a line-casting machine for operating all of the keys thereof, in which supplementary unit the keys are arranged according to the arrangement of keys in a standard typewriter keyboard, so that an operator familiar with the operation of a standard typewriter, can with a small additional amount oftraining, rapidly operate a linecasting machine.

An additional feature of the invention relates to a keyboard unit and associated means, by which both the keys in the main keyboardand the keys in the auxiliary keyboard of a line-casting machine. can be selectively operated.

Other features of the inventionwill appear from the, detailed description and claims when' taken with the drawings in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a line-casting Ina-:-

chine showing'the supplementary keyboard mechanism of'the present invention applied to the standard line-casting .machine keyboard and to the auxiliary keyboard of such a machine; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the supplementary keyboard mechanism of the present invention with a por. tion of'the solenoid compartment and the solenoids therein omitted to show more clearly the arrangementof the keys in the standard linecasting machine keyboard: Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the contact spring assem-'- bly which is normally positioned directly under the actuators of the keys of the supplementary keyboard; Fig. 5 is a plan view and Fig. 6 is a side elevation of. a single set of springs taken from the contact spring assembly of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the shift key and shift lock mechanism; Fig.8 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. '7 with the springs thereof in their normal position while Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8 but with the contact springs in their operated position; Fig. 10 is a schematic showing of the circuits which are selectively operated by the keys of the supplementary keyboard to operate the various solenoids, which in turn depress the keys of the standard line-casting machine keyboard or the auxiliary keyboard thereof; and Figs. 11a, 11b, 11c, andlld when placed one above the other in the order named, are a complete wiring dia gram of the circuits for operating the solenoids of the standard line-casting machine keyboardfrom the supplemental keyboard, the circuits for operating the solenoids superimposed over the keys of the auxiliary keyboard being omitted; Fig. 11c is a diagrammatic showing of the solenoids having four lead out conductors except the space bar solenoid 9|; Fig. 11} is a diagrammatic showing of the space bar solenoid #91. Referring to the drawings, I i0 generally designates a-line-casting machine of which only a portion thereof has been illustrated, but it will be understood that this machine may be of the general character of machines no'w sold under the trade names Linotype or Intertype". As is well-known, such a machine includes a magazine for matrices corresponding to the different letters to be cast, which matrices are selectively released by escap'ements controlled by the ninety keys ill of the usual machine keyboard. Means 35 are also provided whereby the released matrices are moved into line-casting position and when the line is cast, the used matrices are restored to their proper position in the matrix magazine of the machine. machines are also provided with an auxiliary keyboard having keys H2 whereby an additional I number of matrices corresponding to a different style of type may be selectively released from an auxiliary matrix magazine and moved to the linc- 45 casting position. It will be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to a linecasting machine having an auxiliary keyboard, but is equally useful in operating line-casting machines with or without an auxiliary keyboard. 50 It is unnecessary to describe further the construction and the operation of a line-casting machine, except to state that it is selectively operated by successively depressing desired keys of the ninety keys and space bar Hi9 which can be connected as Certain types of such line-casting to the space rod of the usual keyboard or any one of the keys of the auxiliary keyboard if such an auxiliary keyboard is used. I

In accordance with the present invention, a supplementary keyboard unit, generally designated I I3, is in part superimposed over the ninety I keys of the keyboard, being supportedon a portion of the frame and also on an elevator lift rod H4 forming a part of the line-casting machine.

'If the machine is equipped with an auxiliary keyposition that one of the solenoids is superimposed over each key III and the added space bar I09 of the line-casting machine keyboard. Similarly in the auxiliary operating unit H5, a solenoid H6 is mounted directly above each key H2 of the auxiliary keyboard of the line-casting machine if such an auxiliary keyboard is employed. v

In the present arrangement, the solenoids H6 which'actuate the keys III of the line-casting machine keyboard and the keys H2 of the auxiliary keyboard, are operated by electricalcircuits controlled at the supplementary keyboard keys in the unit H3 which keys are arranged according to the sequence and arrangement of keys in a standard typewriter keyboard. Suitable key shift mechanisms are provided so that by the operation of a lesser number of supplementary keys, the solenoids H6 selectively depress all of the keys of the line-casting machine keyboard and the auxiliary keyboard as desired.

While the supplementary keyboard unit H3 may be made in various forms in accordance 'with this invention, it preferably comprises a sheet metal case having sides H8 and H9, front tom portion I23 together with an inclined, stepped bottom portion I24, while a vertical partition I25 divides the case into a spring assembly compartment and a solenoid compartment for the solenoids H6.

The cover I28 of the spring assembly compartment whichmay be secured to the sides and front in any suitable manner, is formed into a series of steps with each step I21 having a series of openings provided with vertical guides I30 through which key stems I28 pass. Each key stem comprises a rod vertically movable in a guide I30 and terminating at its upper end in a key I29 similar to an ordinary typewriter key. The upward movement of each stem is limited by a guide pin I3I which engages the upper end of the slot I32 formed in the lower portion of the guide I30. The insulated extreme lower end of the stem engages a contact spring I33 which normally holds the stem I28 in its elevated position so that its pin is in engagement with the upper end of its related slot I32. The contact spring I33 is a part of a contact spring assembly and, as best shown in Figs. and 6, is mounted in superimposed relation to a set of three contact springs I34, I35, and I35 in spaced horizontal alinement, being normally spaced from them by reason of its mounting in an insulating support I31. Since there are a series of keys and key stems for each Step I21 Of the cover and since there is a contact spring assembly for each key I28, there will likewise be a series of contact spring assemblies, the contact spring-assemblies of each series being mounted on the underside of a channel-shaped cross bar I38 forming a part of a removable frame supported in the spacing assembly (see Fig. 4).

In the present arrangement each series of keys is divided into two groups as shown in Fig. 2 and each group of keys has associated therewith, a large capital" shift bar I40. Each bar I40 near each end thereof, has an actuator I4I similar in construction and arrangement to the key stem I28 previously referred to. These bars whichare slightly elevated above the tops of the keys in the related group, may function in connection with the solenoid circuits about to be described, as a key shift so that while the depression of a key I29 operates a solenoid to effect the release of a matrix corresponding to a lower case character, the simultaneous depression of such key with its related bar I40 operates a different solenoid to effect the release of a matrix corresponding to the same character in large capital size. Each stem I4I at each end of a shift bar I40engages the uppermost contact spring of a pair of normally open contact springs I42 which are insulatedly mounted on a cross bar I38. Thus the depression of a. shift bar I40 operates its pair of stems I to close two pairs of contact springs I42 which are electrically connected in multiple.

In addition to the usual keys found in a standard typewriter keyboard there are provided in the supplementary keyboard, a key I43 corresponding to the characters lb and fl, the key I44 corresponding to ill and ifl, key I45 corresponding to and fl and key I46 to and 113". In addition there is the short bar I41 corresponding to the em leader and the em quad", and an additional short bar I48 corresponding to the en leader and the en quad. There is also associated with the short bars I41 and I48, a com mon shift bar I40 which serves in the case of the bar I41 to shift from the em quad to the em leader, while in the case of the bar I48 the shift bar serves to shift from the en quad to the en leader". A space bar I50 similar to the usual space bar on a typewriter keyboard is also provided and in addition a thin space bar I5I is positioned in alinement with the space bar I 50. Each of the various bars when depressed, operates to close contact springs, the purpose of which will be more fully set forth in connection with the circuits to be described.

The keyboard is also equipped with a large capital shift key 252 which is of the non-locking type, while the righthand end of the keyboard is equipped with a large capital shift key I52 and its related shift lock key I53, and in addition a small" capital shift key I54 and its related shift lock key I55. As best shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the stem I56 of a shift lock key, normally engages the middle spring 158- of a spring assembly. This spring assembly in addition to a contact spring I51 is provided with the intermediate spring I58 normally contacting the spring I51, while below this intermediate spring there is provided the contact spring I59 which is normally out of engagement with the intermediate spring. It will be understood that these contact springs I51, I58, and I59 are mounted in insulation I60 on cross bars I38 so that their fixed ends are insulated from each other. A bracket IBI mounted on a cross bar I38 supports a vertical spring catch I62 presses, the intermediate contact spring I56 into engagement with the contact spring I59, this catch at its lower end engages the upper surface of the intermediate spring to hold the interme-- diate spring in its actuated position as shown in Fig. 9. The free end portion of the intermediate spring I58 is provided with a pair of down-struck ears I63 in which-there is pivotally mounted a latch I64. This latch has a flat upper platform I65 in a position to be engaged by the stem I 56- of a shift key such as I52. The latch I64 is also provided with a lug I61 normally engaging the left hand face of the catch I52 (Fig. 8) so that when the stem I66 is depressed to rock the latch I64 downward, the lug I61 disengagesthe free end of the catch from the end of the interme diate spring I58 so that this spring returns to its normal position as shown in Fig. 8. The stems of the keys I55 and I54 operate in the same manner as those of the keys I52 and I53 and need not be further described. It will be understood that the depression of either of the keys I52 and I54 will rock the corresponding latch I64 and there- -by temporarily depress intermediate spring I58 or I58 into contact with its associated spring I59 or I59, but as soon as this key is released, the intermediate spring returns to its normal position. However, if one of the shift lock keys I53 or I55 is depressed, the intermediate spring I58 or I58 will be retained by the spring catch I62 in its operated position as shown in Fig. 9 until such time as the intermediate spring is released by the depression of one of the shift keys.

Although it has not been so shown in Figs. 1 to 9 of the drawings, in order to avoid complication of the disclosure, the conductors to the various sets of spring and spring assemblies are formed into a cable with brancheswhich are conveniently supported on the upper surface of the bars I38.

It will be noted especially from Fig. 3 that while the compartment at the front end of the supplementary keyboard unit includes the key arrangement just described. the solenoid compartment at the rear of the partition I25 includes the key-actuating solenoids H6, one of which is provided for each of the ninety keys of the standard line-casting machine keyboard with an additional solenoid 9| making the total number ninety-one, provided to operate the added space bar I09 of the line-casting machine as will be further described. These solenoids are arrarged in staggered relation on the stepped bottom I24 of the solenoid compartment. Each solenoid includes one winding I10 and in certain instances, two independent windings as will appear from the circuit diagram of Figs. Ila and 11b. Each solenoid is hollow and with its insulating lining I12 constitutes a mounting for a movable plunger "I while a coil spring I13 within the sleeve I12 and encircling the lower end of the plunger, holds the plunger in its uppermost position. However, when the solenoid winding is energized, the plunger III is pulled downward electrically to depress its related key III in the keyboard of the linecasting machine, the upward movement of the plunger I'll being limited by the stepped portions I15 of a removable sub-cover of nonmagnetic material, supported in the mechanism in any suitable manner. A removable cover I16 closes the solenoid compartment of the mechamsm.

In the lower right hand corner of the unit as shown in Fig. 2, there is provided under the V panel 2I2 space for a relay I I9, a'circuit breaker I93, a transformer I60 and spark arresting capacitors 3I3 and 3 illustrated only diagrammatically in Figs. 10 and 11a. There also projects from the unit, the actuating elements 2I5 and 2I8 of switches, the first of which disables the contacts I94 of the shift bars I40, whereas, the second switch 2 I6 disables the circuit breaker as will appear more clearly in the circuit diagram of Fig. 10.

The supplementary unit is also provided with a green agate2l6, a white agate 2I9 and a red agate 220, under which there are provided lamps respectively designated 10', 1|, and 12' as shown in Figs. 10 and 110 and which will be hereinafter referred to.

The auxiliary operating unit II5 (see Fig. 1) which may be similar in construction and arrangement to the solenoid portion of the main unit just described is likewise provided with thirty solenoids H6 in stepped relation to be superimposed over the thirty keys of the auxiliary keyboard. Aside from the showing of the unit H5 in Fig. 1,- the exact details of construction of this unit have not been illustrated because of its similarity to the mounting of the solenoids in the solenoid compartment of the main operating unit.

The spring assemblies positioned beneath the actuators of the supplementary keyboard are electrically connected to the ninety-one-solenoids H6 in the solenoid compartment of the supplementary keyboard unit, by conductors wired in accordance with the wiring diagram shown in Figs. 11a, 11b, 11c. and 11d. It will be noted in .this diagram that the solenoids superimposed over the keys of the auxiliary keyboard of the line-casting machine and the circuits for operating said solenoids have been omitted in or der to simplify the disclosure. In this diagram Ill the rectangles representing-the usual keys of the a line-casting machine and the circles represent- .ing the solenoids superimposed thereover are consecutively numbered in rows reading from left a to right as follows: I to I5 inclusive, I6 to 30 inclusive, 3| to inclusive, 46 to inclusive, 6| to 15 inclusive and 16, to 90 inclusive, while the solenoid superimposed over the added space bar I09 of the line-casting machine is numbered 9|.

Certain of these solenoids, although they have t the appearance of the others, are provided with two windings, but these double wound solenoids will be recognized by the four leads connected thereto, whereas the single wound solenoids have but two leads.

The keys, space bars andthe spring assemblies related thereto of the supplementary keyboard unit are likewise consecutively numbered thus: I, 2', 3', 4', 5' 48' and 49'. The large capital shift key assembly is designated 50 and the small capital shift key assembly is designated 5I while the spring assemblies actuated by the capital shift bars I40 are indicated by the numerals 52' to 69' inclusive. The green lamp is marked 10', the white lamp is marked 1I and the red lamp is designated 12'.

The conductors interconnecting the ninety-one solenoids with the contact spring assemblies and terminals of the supplementary keyboard, are formed into a cable which fans out, in accordance with standard-telephone practice, to the several instrumentalities which they interconnect. It will be notedthat each conductor adjacent the point-where it emerges from the cable is designated by a numeral and a letter representative of a color in the color code, used in the actual wiring. -It will also be noted that certain of the numerals adjacent the solenoids,. are primed to indicate that the conductor thus designated leads to a contact spring of a spring assembly designated by the same primed numeral.

However, each conductor as it emerges from the cable branch adjacent the contact spring assembly, is likewise designated by a. numeral and a letter, but in this case the numeral is not primed to indicate that this conductor terminates at a solenoid designated by that numeral. For example: the solenoid #I in Fig. 11a. has one conductor designated I5'w which indicates that this conductor is directlyconnected to a contact in the contact spring assembly I5 which conductor at that spring assembly is designated Iw to indicate that this conductor is connected to a corresponding w conductor of the solenoid #I. A' second conductor connectedto the solenoid #I, which incidentally is connected in multiple with a conductor leading to solenoids Nos. I to ID inclusive, is designated 5I'G., Thisconductor leads to the small capital key spring assembly 5|. It will be noted that this conductor at the last mentioned assembly is designated IG to indicate that it leads to a G conductor at #I solenoid. This conductor is also designated IIG to indicate that it is connected in multiple to a similar G conductor at the lamp II'.' However, this conductor at the lamp 'II, bears the designation IiI'G. From the foregoing, it should be understood that a conductor at its end adjacent a solenoid, bears the number of the spring assembly to which it is connected, whereas, the end of this conductor adjacent that spring assembly is indicated by the numeral 01' its related solenoid.

While the circuit diagram of Figs. 11a, 11b, 11c, and lld are necessary for the actual wiring and testing of the supplementary keyboard unit, the schematic circuit diagram of Fig. 10 will prob ably more simply disclose the circuit arrangement, and also indicate-the circuit arrangement for operating the thirty solenoids which may be superimposed over the thirty keys of the auxiliary keyboard of the line-casting machine. schematic circuit diagram duplicate circuits are not repeated. Although, as previously mentioned, the main portion of this unit is provided with ninety-one solenoids of which ninety solenoids are superimposed over the ninety keys in the keyboard of the line-casting machine and the ninety-first solenoid is mounted in a position to operate the usual space lever of .the machine, and although there are thirty solenoids for operating the thirty keys of the auxiliary keyboard on the machine (where such an auxiliary keyboard is used) these one hundred twenty-one solenoids are represented by six groups of rectangles, the first group including a single rectangle, is designated space bar no shift"; a second group, lower case; a third group, "no shift"; a fourth group, smallcapitals; aflfth group, large capitals; and a I sixth group, auxiliary keyboard. Within each of these rectangles, there appear numerals which correspond to the numerals associated with the solenoids superimpos'ed over the keys of the linecasting machine keyboard'of Fig. 2. Likewise, all the key-actuated spring assemblies have not been represented, but instead a single spring assembly which is.representative of a group of spring assemblies is shown and this indicated spring assembly has associated therewith the numerical designations or the other spring assem- Inthis.

l blies which are identical therewith. From this showing, it will be understood that any solenoid, the numerical designation of which appears in a rectangle or one of a group of rectangles is individually actuated In a circuit completed by its individual contact spring assembly on the depression of the proper key of the supplementary keyboard. Thus it will be understood that each of the circuits so grouped will be completed, under control of its individual key actuating spring assembly in multiple with the other circuitsthat have thus been grouped together.

It will be noted that certain .of the numerals, such' as #Oand #IIl appear in a rectangle associated with the lower case rectangle and also in a "small capital" rectangle, whereas, the numeral #8 appears in a small capital" rectangle and also in a large capital" rectangle. In this w y, it is intended to convey the idea that the s lenoid over, the key #9 as well as the solenoid over the key #II) of the machine keyboard has twwwindings, one of which can be energized in a "lower case eircuit and the other winding can be energized in the small capital" circuit. However, the solenoid superimposed over the #6 key of the line-casting keyboard has two windings, one ofwhich is operated in the small capital" circuit and the other winding is operated in the large capital" circuit.

With this brief description of the circuit diagrams, their operation will best be understood by describing the method of operating the linecasting keyboard and the auxiliary keyboard thereof from the supplemental keyboard of the present invention. Let it be assumed that the operator desires to release a matrix of the linecasting machine corresponding to the lower case a, that is, it is necessary for the solenoid superimposed over the key #3I of the line-casting machine keyboard to be energized in order to depress this key.- To energize this solenoid, the key #24 01' the supplemental keyboard is de pressed. This is effective to close a circuit as follows: From the terminal I18 of the secondary winding 01' the transformer I80, conductor I8I, spring contacts I82 and I83 of the key #24, conductor I84, winding of the solenoid superimposed over the 31st key of the line-casting machine keyboard, conductor I85, normally closed contacts 2| I and 2IIl of the auxiliary keyboard shift key, conductor 2| 3, normally closed contacts I51 and I58 of the small capital shift key, conductor I 86, normally closed contacts I51 and I58 of the large capital shift key, conductor 20I, back contact and armature of the relay I89, circuit breaker contacts I88, winding of the cir- 'cuit breaker I93, terminal I19 of the secondary winding of the transformer I88. It will be noted that the white lamp II is connected across the conductors I8I and I85 so that it is lighted in multiple with any one of the lower case solenoids casting machine key in the same manner as is 75 effected in the normal operation thereof when it is desired to release one matrix. It will be understood that with present line-casting machines, if any key is held depressed, matrices corresponding thereto will be released as long as the key is held depressed. The circuit breaker just referred to is provided to insure that only one matrix will be released irrespective of the length of time that a key'in the supplementary keyboard is deprossed. The operation of the circuit of the circuit breaker is as follows: when the circuit breaker winding I193 is energized it opens its contacts I98 so th'atjthe impedance 2" is then 'connected in series'with the winding I93. The value of this impedance is such that the solenoid now connected in series therewith will not hold its plunger in its depressed condition, but instead will permit this plunger to restore to its normal condition. The switch '2I6 previously mentioned is connected in the circuit in such a way that when it is closed it will short circuit the impedance 2I1 so that if desired, the solenoid in the mentioned circuit will hold its plunger in its depressed position, thereby permitting matrices corresponding thereto to be released as long as the key in the supplementary keyboard is actuated.

In the event that the operator desires the matrix of a large capital A to be released instead of that of the lower case a, in addition to depressing the key #24 of the supplemental keyboard he would also depress a large capital shift key which might either be the key 252 (see Fig. 2) or the capital shift bar I48 associated with the key 24. In any event either the contacts I95 corresponding to the shift key I52 or the contacts I94 corresponding to the capital shift bar I48 will be depressed. It will be noted that if the switch 2I5 is closed, these two sets of I contacts are connected in multiple so that the operator has the choice of either simultaneously depressing the large capital shift key 252 or the large capital shift bar I48 associated with the auxiliary key which it is desired to operate. With either of the sets of springs I94 and I95 closed by the operation of the mentioned key or bar, the relay I89 is energized to switch the circuit connections so that now the depression of key #24 operates the solenoid over the II key in the machine keyboard to release a capital A matrix. .This energizing circuit for relay I89 is traceable ,from the terminal I18 of the secondary winding of the transformer I88, conductor I8I, thence through either of the sets of contact springs I94 or I95, conductor I91, winding of the relay I89, thence through the conductor 258 to the terminal 25I of the secondary winding of the transformer I88. With the relay I89 thus energized, when the key #24 of the supplemental keyboard is depressed, the spring I82 will contact with the spring I98 and a circuit will thus be completed to energize the solenoid superimposed over the key #M of the line-casting machine keyboard, corresponding to the large capital A. The energizing circuit for this solenoid may be traced from the terminal I18 of the secondary winding of the transformer I88, conductor I8I, contact springs I82 and I98, conductor I99, winding of the 41st solenoid, conductor 288, through the front contact and armature of the relay I89 and thence through the circuit breaker to the upper terminal I19 of the secondary winding of the transformer I88. It will be noted that while the relay I89 is energized, the green lamp 18' is lighted to indicate to the operator that the large capital shift key is actuated. It should be un-' ders'tood that the capital shift key 252 and the capital shift bar I48 are only momentarily oper-- ated in connection with one of the character keys of the supplemental keyboard. In the event that it is desired to release a series of matrices corresponding to large capital letters without the need of repeatedly depressing the shift key 252 or one of the bars I48, the shift lock key I53 may be depressed. With the large capital shift lock key depressed, a circuit will be completed for the 41st solenoid, that is the solenoid corresponding to the large capital A on the line-casting machine keyboard, which circuit is independent of the control of the relay I89. This circuit may be traced from the terminal I18 of the secondary winding I88 of the transformer, conductor I8I, spring contacts I82 and I98 closed by the key 24' of the supplemental keyboard, conductor I99, solenoid of the 41st line-casting key, conductor 288 and 283, contacts I59 and I58 of the capital shift lock key, conductor 281, back contact and armature of relay I89, through the circuit breaker to the terminal I19 of the secondary winding of the transformer I88. It will be appreciated that as long as the shift lock key I53 is depressed, the operation of any of the keys of the supplemental keyboard will result in the energization of the solenoid of the corresponding large capital key in the line-casting machine keyboard.

In the event that it is desired to operate the small capital A key in the line-casting machine keyboard, the shift key I52 is operated to restore the contact springs I51, I58 and I59 to their normal position which springs have been operated by the shift lock key I53. If a single small letter is desired the small cap key I54 is depressed, but if it is desired to release a series of matrices corresponding to small cap letters, the shift lock key I55 is depressed. In any event the contact springs I58 and I59 controlled by these keys are brought into engagement in one case momentarily and in the other case until the shift lock key I55 is released. With the contact springs I58 and I59 in engagement, a. circuit is closed from the terminal I18 of secondary winding of the transformer I88, conductor I8I, contact springs I82 and 284 which are brought into engagement by the depression of the key #24 of the supplemental keyboard, conductor 285, winding of the solenoid over the key #31 of the line-casting machine keyboard, conductors 288 and 281, con-. tacts I59 and I58, conductor I88, contact springs I51 and I58, conductor 28I, back contact and armature of relay I89 and thence through the circuit breaker to the upper terminal of the secondary winding of the transformer. It will be noted at this time, that the red lamp 12' is connected across conductors 286 and I8I so that the red lamp is lighted in multiple with any of the small capital solenoids to indicate to the operator that the small capital matrices are being released by the depression of the supplementary keys.

If the line-casting machine is provided with an auxiliary keyboard (the circuits for which have been omitted in the circuit diagram of Figs. 11a to 1101 inclusive) and if it is desired to operate any key or keys of this keyboard from the supplementary keyboard, an auxiliary keyboard shift key is depressed, the contacts 289, 2I8, and 2H of this key being indicated only in the schematic circuit showing of Fig. 10. In this instance certain contact spring assemblies which are operated by certain key actuators or the supplemen-i pleted to energize the solenoid superimposed over the "A key in the auxiliary keyboard. The energizing circuit for this solenoid may be traced from the terminal I18 ofthe secondary winding of the transformer I8Ii, conductor I8I, contact springs I82 and 206, conductor 301, winding of this solenoid, conductor 208,- contacts 209, 2H)

of the auxiliary keyboard shift key, conductor 2I3, contacts I51 and I58 of the small capital shift key, conductor I86, contacts I51 and I58 of the large capital shift key, conductor 2M, back contact and armature of the relay I88 and thence through the circuit breaker as previously described, to the terminal I19 of the secondary winding of the transformer. The solenoids superimposed over the remaining keys of the auxiliary keyboard of the line casting machine may be selectively operated in other circuits similar to that just described. It will be understood that these other, circuits are controlled by the respective keys of the supplementary keyboard in con- Junction with the mentioned auxiliary keyboard shift key mechanism which includes the contact springs 209, 2H) and 2 arranged as a spring assembly.

It will be understood that the space bar I08 of the linotype machine will be operated by the 91st solenoid in a circuit completed through the contacts 48' actuated by the spacer I58 of Fig. 2. The circuit of this electromagnet is completed independently of any shift mechanism control. Likewise, the solenoids 8, 23, 36, and ii are energized by circuits completed through the key contacts II', 43', 44, and 49' independently of shift mechanism control.

This application is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 618,835, filed June 23,

What I claim is:

1. In a device for operating a slug-composing typesetting machine, provided with a main matrix magazine and an auxiliary matrix magazine, said device having a plurality of keys arranged according to the arrangement of keys in a standard typewriter keyboard, and means controlled by said keys for selectively releasing matrices from either of said magazines.

2. In a device for operating a slug-composing type-setting machine provided with a main keyboard and an auxiliary keyboard, said device having a plurality of keys arranged according to the arrangement of keys in a standard typewriter keyboard, and means including said keys for selectively operating said main keyboard and said auxiliary keyboard.

3. An operating unit for a line-casting machine comprising a front portion provided with keys arranged according to the arrangement of keys in a standard typewriter keyboard and an upwardly inclined portion provided with solenoids arranged in stepped relation, each solenoid having a core projecting downwardly in operative relation to a key of the line-casting machine and means controlled by said first-mentioned keys for selectively operating said solenoids.

4. An operating unit for selectively actuating the matrix-releasing means of a line-casting machine comprising a case having a plurality of solenoids arranged in stepped relation within the 'case to engage a matrix-releasing means, a keyboard having its keys arranged'according to the arrangement of keys in a standard typewriter keyboard, and circuits selectively completed by said keys for energizing'said solenoids. I

5. In combination with the keys of a line-casting machine, each oi. certain of said keys corresponding to two characters, a solenoid provided with at least two windings superimposed over each two-character key, a core for each solenoid actuated by either of the windings of said solenoid, a supplementary keyboard, and circuits selectively completed by said supplemene tary keyboard for energizing any desired one of said windings.

6. In combination with the keys of a linec-asting machine, each, of certain of said keys corresponding to two characters, a solenoid pro vided with at least two windings superimposed over each two-character key, a core for each solenoid actuated by either of the windings of said solenoid, a supplementary keyboard provided with shift key mechanism and having its keys arranged according to the arrangement oi keys in a standard typewriter keyboard, and

circuits selectively completed by said supplemen tary keys and by said shift key mechanism for energizing any desired one of said windings.

7. In combination with a line-casting machine having elements for selectively releasing matrices corresponding to lowercase, large capital and small capital letters,'each small capital matrix-releasing element serving to release a I matrix corresponding to two difierent characters,

electromagnetic devices for operating said small capital matrix-releasing elements and each having multiple windings, a supplementary keyboard provided with keys, and circuits selectively controlled by said keys for operating said devices, each winding of each multi-winding device having its individual operating circuit completed by a difierent key.

8. In combination with a line-casting machine having elements for selectively releasing matrices corresponding to lower case, large capital and small capital letters, each small capital matrixreleasing element serving to release a matrix corresponding to two diiferent characters, an electromagnetic device for operating each element, the electromagnetic devices for operating said small capital matrix-releasing elements each having two windings, a supplementary keyboard provided with keys and with shift key mechanism, and circuits controlled by said keys for operating said devices, the circuit for one of said windings of a device being completed by the operation of one of said keys and the circuit for the other winding of said device being completed by the joint operation of another of said keys and of said key-shift mechanism.

9. In a line-casting machine operating unit, a case having solenoids therein for actuating matrix-releasing elements, each solenoid being provided with a plunger movable through the bottom of said case, said case also having contact spring assemblies supported therein, key stems extending through the top 01' said case for actuating said spring assemblies, and conductors interconnecting said solenoids and said contact spring assemblies.

10. In a line-casting machine operating unit adapted to be superimposed over the 'keys of the keyboard of a line-casting machine, a case hav-.

ing solenoids therein, each solenoid being provided with a plunger movable to depress one of said keys, said case also having contact spring assemblies supportedtherein, keys having stems projecting through the top of said case for actuating said contact spring assemblies, said lastmentioned keys being arranged according to the arrangement of keys in a standard typewriter keyboard, and conductors interconnecting said solenoids and said contact spring assemblies, said conductors in cooperation with said contact spring assemblies serving to complete circuits for selectively operating said solenoids. V

11. In aline-casting machine operating unit, a plurality of solenoids, each provided with a movable element, a pluralityof keys on said unit, and means including either of two of said keys for selectively operating one of said-solenoids.

12. In a line-casting machine operating unit, a plurality of solenoids, each provided with a movable element, a plurality of keys and shift key mechanism supported on said unit, and means including either of two of said keys and said shift mechanism for selectively operating one of said solenoids.

13. In combination with a line-casting machine having elements to release selectively the matrices from said machine, an electromagnet. individual to each element for operating the same, a circuit for each electromagnet, means including a key for completing each circuit, and means for causing said electromagnet to operate each element momentarily only, in response to each completion of its circuit.

14. In combination with a line-casting machine having elements to release selectively the matrices from, said machine, an electromagnet individual to each element for operating the same, a circuit for each electromagnet, means including a key for completing each circuit, means for causing said electromagnet to operate each element momentarily in response to each comple tion of its circuit, and means operated at will for disabling said last-mentioned means.

15. In an arrangement for selectively operating certain of the lower case character, large capital character and small capital character matrix-releasing elements of a slug composing typesetting machine, a group of solenoids each having a winding individual to one of said elements for actuating the same, a keyboard including character keys and provided with contacts individual to each key, a large capital 'shift key and a small capital shift, key in'said keyboard, each of said shift keys having normally open contacts and normally closed contacts controlled thereby, and an individual circuit for operating each of said solenoids, each circuit including the winding of its solenoid and extendingv through the contacts of a related character key as well as through contacts of said large capital shift key and through contacts of said small capital shift key.

16. In an arrangement for selectively operating certain of the lower case character, large capital character and small capital character matrix-releasing elements of a slug-composing typesetting machine, a group of solenoids each having a winding individual to one of said elements for actuating the same, a keyboard including character keys and pro ided with contacts individual to each key, a large capital shift key and a small capital shift key in said keyboard, each of said shift keys having normally open contacts and normally closed contacts controlled thereby, and an individual circuit for operating each solenoid corresponding to a desired lower case character releasing element, each circuit including the winding of its solenoid and extending through the contacts of a character key related to said last-mentioned solenoid as well as through the normally closed contacts of said large capital shift key and through the nor,- mally closed contacts of said small capital shift key.

1'7. In an arrangement for selectively operating certain of the lower case character, large capital character and small capital character matrixreleasing elements of a slug-composing typesetting machine, a group of solenoids each having a winding individual to one of said elements for actuating the same, a keyboard including character keys and provided with contacts individual to each key, a large capital shift key and a small capital shift key in said keyboard, each of said shift keys having normally open contacts and normally closed contacts controlled thereby, and an individual circuit for operating each solenoid corresponding to a desired small capital character releasing element, each circuit including the winding of its solenoid and extending through contacts of a-character key related to said lastmentioned solenoid as well as through normally closed contacts of said large capital shift key and through the normally open contacts of said small capital shift key.

18. In an arrangement for selectively operating certain of the lower case character, large capital character and small capital character matrixreleasing elements of a slug-composing typesetting machine, as well as the auxiliary matrixreleasing elements of said machine, a group of solenoids each having a winding individual to one of said elements for actuating thesame, a

keyboard including character keys and provided with contacts individual to each key, a large capital shift key and a small capital shift key as well as an auxiliary shift key in said keyboard, each of said shift keys having normally open contacts and normally closedcontacts controlled thereby, an individual circuit for operating each solenoid corresponding to a desired auxiliary matrixreleasing element, each circuit including the winding of its solenoid and extending through contacts of a character key related to said lastmentioned solenoid, as well as through normally opened contacts of said auxiliary shift key and through normally closed contacts of said small capital shift key and said large capital shift key. 

